Genre: Horror/Thriller

Director: John Stockwell

Certificate: Paradise Lost  was rated 18's by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 18 years of age or upwards.

Violence = strong. Drugs = moderate. Sex/Nudity = moderate. Language = strong.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Turistas (Paradise Lost)

I wasn't expecting great things from this proverbial slice and dice flick, but I have to say although gory in parts it’s not quite as bad as the infamous Hostel and has a far more adventurous storyline.  It’s certainly a notch above the usual horror fodder as I find many of these film meld into one with similar plotlines and scripts.  This one follows a group of backpackers who meet on an arduous bus journey across Brazil, and who after the bus crashes find a nearby idyllic beach bar and camping spot.  They decide after several drinks and some suggestive Sambas from the locals to stay a few days and wait for the next bus.

It turns out to be a disastrous decision for all concerned as they are drugged and robbed and wake up the following morning literally in the clothes they are standing up in, and the beach bar totally deserted.  Making their way to a local village they stupidly upset the villagers in their frantic attempts to find the local police and are eventually taken under the wing of someone they met at the bar the night before who seems sympathetic to their plight and takes them on a questionable hike through the jungle to his uncle’s house (or is it?) whilst they wait for the next bus in two days time.  However, all is not what it seems and without giving too much away they are being literally lined up as lambs to the slaughter.

Some real tension ensues, with some breath taking filming in some underground caves which prove to play a big part in some of the backpackers ultimate survival with some edge-of-your-seat stuff as the chase is well and truly on between captors and captives.  It's a sinister piece of work, and despite the copious amounts of female flesh on display (which I 'm sure will please the male members of the audience no end) not a great watch for those who are about to go back packing in Brazil!  It just had that something a little different to keep you interested mainly a stronger storyline than some of its contemporaries, and I could certainly recommend a DVD watch though not for those with a weak stomach as a tad gory on a couple of occasions.  In a word… Entertaining.

Reviewed by Mary Kate, Premier Movie Reviews 2007

If you enjoy Paradise Lost you might also enjoy: My Little Eye or The Descent

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WORTH A WATCH